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(No Model.) v 3- Sheets-Sheet 1.

M. H. SMITH. WHEEL.

PatentdlJu'ne 28, 1898.

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(No Model.) 3 sheetsesheet 2.

M. H. SMITH.

WHEEL. No. 606,365. Patented June 28, 1898.

1(No Model.) Sheets-Shee1; 3.

M. H. SMITH. WHEEL.

No. 606,365. Patented June 28, 1898.

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MICHAEL IIOLRO YD SMITH, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 606,365, dated June 28, 1898.

Application filed June 29, 1897.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MICHAEL HOLROYD SMITH, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, and a resident of Albany Buildings, 47 Victoria street, Westminster, London, in the county of Middlesex,England, have invented certain-new and useful Im' provements in Wheels, of which the followin g is a specification.

The object of my invention is an improved arrangement of parts forming a flexible or spring hub which will absorb shocks transmitted from the rim of the wheel;

The invention is based on the principle that the axis must be free to move radially, but be restrained from twisting, the radial movement being restrained by springs. In many previous inventions where springs have been introduced they have been subject not only to compression and extension, but have also had to stand a lateral strain. In others the lateral strain has been obviated, but by employment of complicated mechanism, such as sliding devices placed at right angles. This invention presents a simple solution of the problem.

It is a well-known law of mechanics that a circular movement is acompound of two movements at right angles to one another. Recognizing this law, I take advantage of the parallel movement employed by l/Vatts for beanrengines and make a combination of two such movements, attaching the outer ends of one set of levers to a ring or frame, which may be the rim of the wheel, or preferably a ring situated between the rim and the center, forming what may be described as an en larged hub, the other ends of the first set of levers being attached to an inner ring or frame which corresponds with and has the same function as the link in VVattss parallel movement, the center of which is attached to the end of the piston -rod. Between this frame and the outer ring or enlarged hub I place springs or elastic media which control its movement. It is obvious that the frame can only move in a direction at right angles to the normal position of the levers. To this inner frame-l attach the outer ends of another set of levers so that their normal position is at right angles with the. first set, attached to the enlarged hub. The inner ends of this ments for the springs.

form of hub.

Serial No. 642,889. (No model.)

second set of levers are linked together by what forms the wheel-center, into which the axle may be keyed or run freely, as circumstances may require. It is obvious that the movement of the center in relation to the in- ,ner frame can only be at right angles to the normal position of its attached levers, and its movement is controlled by springs or the like placed between the center and the inner frame. The movement of the center there fore is at right angles to the movement of the innerframe,'and the combined movement of the center and the inner frame at right angles to one another permits a radial 1nove ment of the center in relation to the outer ring or enlarged hub, also, the combined acvtion of the first and second set of levers prevents any torsional movement of the center. The outer ring or enlarged hub is preferably made circular. Theinner frame may also be circular, but preferably rectangular; but both inner frame and enlarged hub may be of polygon form or modifications thereof, as may be best suitable for allowing the required movement and providing seats or attach- The minimum number of springs employed would be four; but theymay be multiplied in pairs or groups, as circumstances may require.

Referring to the drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic View of a hub to illustrate the principle of my invention. Fig. l is a diagrammatic view of the arrangement applied to a wheel. Fig. 2 is an elevation of one Fig. 3 is a plan of same. Fig. 4Jis an elevation of another form of hub. Fig. 5 is a plan of same. r

Referring first to Fig. 1, a represents the outer ring or frame, which in this case is situated between the rim of the wheel and the center Z), such. ring or frame being pivotally connected by levers c c to an inner ring or frame d. At the point where these. levers are pivoted to the inner frame are pivotally attached the outer ends of levers e c, the inner ends of which are. pivoted to a link f, which virtually forms or is attached to the wheelcenter and in which the axle or shaft is keyed or in which it rotates, as required. The dotted lines in this figure show the position the inner frame and connected parts occupy in relation to a point of the .ri m immediately below same when a weight is carried by the axle, a compound of this movement (or a similar movement in the opposite direction) with a movement of the inner frame at right angles thereto providing the radial movement of the inner frame. The springs for controlling these movements and affording the cushioning action are not indicated in this diagram, but are shown in Figs. 2 and 3,which illustrate a form where a narrow hub is desired, and in which it will be seen that-the outer ring or enlarged hub is composed of two rings a a, connected and spaced apart by posts g g,on which are pivoted the levers c c and c 0, respectively, each pair of levers being bent at their inner ends in order that they may be united by pivoting to the inner frame and curved outwardly to permit the movement of the link f, said inner frame in this case departing from the ring form and taking the form of the two slotted and shaped plates d d. To the plates forming this frame are pivoted the four levers e e e e,whieh are further connected with each other by the plates or links ff. These plates or links f carry suitable bearings, if desired, for the shaft or aXle Z2, and attached to or forming part of them and capable of moving within the frame dis a block h, carrying cups or spring-seats't' t',while the outer ends of the plates d d carrycups -orspring-seatsjj.- Between these are the springs 7t 70, which are compressed With the movement of the block h and connected parts against them. The frame d also carries cups or spring-seats 7 t, and the outer rings a orframe the cups or spring-seats jj, the latter being carried by plates 3' Fig. 3, which assist in connecting the rings Ct a, forming the enlarged hub. Between these cups or spring-seats t" j are the springs 71;, which are compressed with the movement of the inner frame against them. The spokes are attached to the rings a a, forming the enlarged. hub, and connect it with the usual rim.

It will be seen that the levers effect the driving of the wheel and take up the torsional movement or twist, while the links f f assist .to resist the lateral stress and keep the axle at right angles to the Wheel.

In Figs. 4 and 5 is shown an arrangement v where a wider hub is required, and in this case the springs 76 and 7; are doubled and ,placed outside of the frame cl, the studs for carrying same being also duplicated and being suitably carried. A single link or center f is employed in place of a pair, such link being carried centrally by the block h or central'hub. 1 Having now described my invention, what 'I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a wheel, a slotted hub, an axle passing therethrough, springs applied to opposite applied between the outer side of the hub and the inner sides of the wheel, and a lever secured to the axle, combined with a series of pivoted levers placed upon opposite sides of the hub, the outer one of each series of levers havingits outer end pivoted to the wheel, sub stantially as shown.

2. In a wheel, a slotted'hub, the axle passing therethrough, and springs placed in opposite ends of the slot-in the hub, and having their inner ends to bear against opposite sides of the axle, combined with a lever connected to the axle, and a series'oflevers connected to each end of the lever secured to the axle, the outer end of each one of each series being connected to the rim; and springs placed between the hub'and the rim of the wheel, substantially as specified.

; In witness whereof I have hereunto set my @hand in'presence of two witnesses.

MICHAEL IIOLROYD SMITH.

, Nitnesses:

REGINALD \VALTER BARKER,

OHAs. ROCHE.

sides of the hub in a line therewith,and springs 

